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B Cell Function in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Literature Information

DOI10.1146/annurev-immunol-101220-015603
PMID35044794
JournalAnnual review of immunology
Impact Factor33.3
JCR QuartileQ1
Publication Year2022
Times Cited165
KeywordsB cell, Breg, antibody, immunogenomics, tertiary lymphoid structure
Literature TypeJournal Article, Review, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
ISSN0732-0582
Pages169-193
Issue40()
AuthorsStephanie M Downs-Canner, Jeremy Meier, Benjamin G Vincent, Jonathan S Serody

TL;DR

This study explores the diverse roles of B lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting their significance in antitumor immunity alongside T lymphocytes, which have been more extensively studied. By examining B cell heterogeneity in both animal models and human patients, the research underscores the complex interactions between various B cell populations and their contributions to the immune response against cancer, thereby enhancing our understanding of immune dynamics in tumor progression.

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B cell · Breg · antibody · immunogenomics · tertiary lymphoid structure

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a heterogeneous, complex organization composed of tumor, stroma, and endothelial cells that is characterized by cross talk between tumor and innate and adaptive immune cells. Over the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that the immune cells in the TME play a critical role in controlling or promoting tumor growth. The function of T lymphocytes in this process has been well characterized. On the other hand, the function of B lymphocytes is less clear, although recent data from our group and others have strongly indicated a critical role for B cells in antitumor immunity. There are, however, a multitude of populations of B cells found within the TME, ranging from naive B cells all the way to terminally differentiated plasma cells and memory B cells. Here, we characterize the role of B cells in the TME in both animal models and patients, with an emphasis on dissecting how B cell heterogeneity contributes to the immune response to cancer.

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Primary Questions Addressed

  1. How do different subpopulations of B cells within the tumor microenvironment influence the overall immune response to cancer?
  2. What are the mechanisms by which B cells can promote or inhibit tumor growth in the TME?
  3. How does the interaction between B cells and T cells in the tumor microenvironment affect the efficacy of immunotherapies?
  4. In what ways can the heterogeneity of B cell populations in the TME be targeted for therapeutic interventions?
  5. What role do cytokines produced by B cells play in shaping the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment?

Key Findings

Key Insights

  1. Research Background and Objective: The study delves into the intricate composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting its heterogeneous nature comprised of tumor, stroma, and endothelial cells. It emphasizes the importance of interactions between tumor cells and various immune cell types, particularly focusing on the role of B lymphocytes, which have been less understood compared to T lymphocytes. The primary aim is to elucidate the functions of different B cell populations present in the TME and their contributions to antitumor immunity, thereby addressing the gap in knowledge regarding the specific roles that B cells play in cancer dynamics.

  2. Main Methods and Findings: The research employs a combination of animal models and patient samples to investigate the functionality of B cells in the TME. It characterizes various B cell populations, including naive B cells, memory B cells, and plasma cells, and assesses their respective roles in the immune response to tumors. The findings reveal that B cells exhibit significant heterogeneity within the TME, and this diversity is critical for shaping the immune landscape against cancer. Notably, certain B cell subsets appear to facilitate antitumor responses, while others may contribute to immune suppression, indicating a complex dual role of B cells in tumor progression.

  3. Core Conclusions: The study concludes that B cells are integral components of the TME with crucial implications for antitumor immunity. Their functional diversity suggests that not all B cells are pro-tumor; instead, some can actively participate in combating tumors. This nuanced understanding of B cell roles challenges traditional views of tumor immunology that primarily emphasize T cell functions, highlighting the need for further investigation into B cell-targeted therapies.

  4. Research Significance and Impact: The insights gained from this research are significant as they reshape the understanding of immune responses in cancer. By recognizing the importance of B cells in the TME, the study opens avenues for new therapeutic strategies that could manipulate B cell function to enhance antitumor immunity. This could lead to more effective immunotherapies and personalized treatment approaches, ultimately improving patient outcomes in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the findings encourage further exploration of B cell biology in various cancers, fostering a more comprehensive approach to cancer immunology research.

Literatures Citing This Work

  1. Immune cell-antibody interactions in health and disease. - Sophia N Karagiannis;James N Arnold - Clinical and experimental immunology (2022)
  2. Cancer vaccines: Building a bridge over troubled waters. - MacLean C Sellars;Catherine J Wu;Edward F Fritsch - Cell (2022)
  3. Pan-cancer analysis of the angiotensin II receptor-associated protein as a prognostic and immunological gene predicting immunotherapy responses in pan-cancer. - Kai Hong;Yingjue Zhang;Lingli Yao;Jiabo Zhang;Xianneng Sheng;Lihua Song;Yu Guo;Yangyang Guo - Frontiers in cell and developmental biology (2022)
  4. Immune Modulatory Effects of Molecularly Targeted Therapy and Its Repurposed Usage in Cancer Immunotherapy. - Tiancheng Zhang;Chenhao Zhang;Zile Fu;Qiang Gao - Pharmaceutics (2022)
  5. The emerging roles of TRIM21 in coordinating cancer metabolism, immunity and cancer treatment. - Xintian Chen;Menghan Cao;Pengfei Wang;Sufang Chu;Minle Li;Pingfu Hou;Junnian Zheng;Zhongwei Li;Jin Bai - Frontiers in immunology (2022)
  6. Pan-cancer analysis of CREB3L1 as biomarker in the prediction of prognosis and immunotherapeutic efficacy. - Zhengjun Lin;Yanlin Wu;XunGang Xiao;Xianghong Zhang;Jia Wan;Tao Zheng;Hongxuan Chen;Tang Liu;Xianzhe Tang - Frontiers in genetics (2022)
  7. Identification of senescence-associated long non-coding RNAs to predict prognosis and immune microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. - Chengzhi Gao;Guangming Zhou;Min Cheng;Lan Feng;Pengbo Cao;Gangqiao Zhou - Frontiers in genetics (2022)
  8. Comprehensive Analysis Reveals PTK6 as a Prognostic Biomarker Involved in the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. - Lili Wang;Shuimei Luo;Ziming Wang;Yiqiang Huang;Yang Luo;Xianhe Xie - Journal of immunology research (2022)
  9. Comprehensive evaluation of breast cancer immunotherapy and tumor microenvironment characterization based on interleukin genes-related risk model. - Yalei Lv;Zihe Bai;Xiaoyan Wang;Jiayin Liu;Yuntao Li;Xiaolin Zhang;Yujie Shan - Scientific reports (2022)
  10. ADAM12 abrogation alters immune cell infiltration and improves response to checkpoint blockade therapy in the T11 murine model of triple-negative breast cancer. - Guanpeng Wang;Yeni Romero;Indhujah Thevarajan;Anna Zolkiewska - Oncoimmunology (2023)

... (155 more literatures)


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